Better safe than sorry

Think ahead

Having insurance for translators might sound unnecessary and even funny. Of course, translators don’t put themselves at risk while doing their work in front of a computer at the office, in cafés or at home.  However, there are some cases when the need for insurance is obvious for any job. We’re talking about unforeseen situations such as accidents, illnesses, disabilities or dismissals without cause. Work insurance provides you with financial and legal protection in such unforeseen circumstances. It is better to think about all the possible risks ahead and be confident about the future.

As a translator, it is important to protect yourself from unpredicted events that can impact your livelihood. For example, the unexpected loss of your job means temporary loss of income. If you have to dip into your savings to cover your expenses until you get another translation job, your insurance company will provide you with money or even help you to make payments on mortgages and personal loans. If you are unable to work due to an illness, work insurance can provide financial support to help cover expenses and maintain a certain standard of living. This security can be especially important for those who are self-employed or freelancers without the support of an employer.

In short, to get insurance you need to take the following steps. You first need to determine what type of coverage you need based on the nature of your work as a translator. For example, if you work from home, you may not need accident insurance, but liability insurance may be important, especially if you work with sensitive information. Once you have found an insurance provider that offers the type of coverage you need, request a quote. A quote can be understood as an estimate of premium for the insurance coverage you selected and information you entered. The insurance provider will ask you for information about your work, such as the type of translation work you do and how many hours you work each week. You can compare quotes of different providers. Consider factors such as the cost of the insurance, the amount of coverage provided, and any deductibles or copayments.

Cases you can avoid

Work insurance not only provides you with financial protection against accidents, illnesses and disability. It may also provide coverage for liability issues. As a translator, your work is heavily reliant on your ability to communicate effectively and accurately. However, there is always a risk of miscommunication, mistranslation or misunderstanding that can have negative consequences. Work insurance can help alleviate the stress of these risks by providing coverage in the case of an error or omission.

What mistake could you make as a translator? You could make an error while working on a tight translation deadline, or you may click on a malicious email link and exposing client’s data to hackers. Claims of negligence in your work, due to a mistake could cost your client money and can be expensive if you’re not covered. Also, if in your work you check exam translations and write your own texts you can be vulnerable to claims accusing you of rephrasing answers or plagiarism. Work insurance can help protect your reputation as a translator in the case of a liability issue or a client complaint because it provides legal representation and coverage for damages or settlements. This can help protect your professional reputation and ensure that you are able to continue working in your field.

But what if you have done your work perfectly and the client refuses to pay you? Work insurance can help cover the costs of legal action against a client who refuses to pay for your services. This can include legal fees, court costs, and other expenses associated with pursuing legal action. With work insurance, you can be assured that you have the financial support to take legal action against a bad client, even if you’re a freelancer without the support of an employer.

Your safety is in your hands

So, now you don’t have any doubts that insurance is essential for translators as it provides financial protection against unexpected events and helps alleviate the stress of risks associated with translation work. The next step is to look for insurance providers, find out what types of contracts they propose and how much it costs to be insured.

There is a big difference between insurance for in-house and freelance translators. If you work in a company or a translation agency your employer is supposed to take care of your insurance. If your employer does not provide any or if you are not satisfied with its terms, you can get additional insurance. As a freelance translator, you’re responsible for your own insurance coverage. Getting work insurance requires research, careful consideration of the type of coverage you need, and comparison of quotes from different insurance providers. We can advise you to look for insurance companies that specialize in coverage for freelance workers. You can also check with professional organizations for translators to see if they offer group coverage.

You should understand that work insurance has some limits and it doesn’t protect you from all the risks connected to your work. It doesn’t include financial help for people who quit their jobs, get fired for cause or stop working for pregnancy. There is usually a qualifying period before your job loss benefits begin. It typically includes 60 days of continuous involuntary separation from your employment. In addition, there may be policy limits, such as a maximum monthly amount of debt payment that will be covered and a maximum number of months it will be paid while you are unemployed. 

It might be difficult to think about all the aspects at the beginning of your career as translator. So, this article is here to help you. By reading it, you will get acquainted with the different types of contracts proposed by insurance providers, their pros and cons, and know what experienced in-house and freelance translators think about insurance. Don’t forget that your safety is in your hands!

Written by Aleksandra Kadushechkina